Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-10-09

of the lords Of Creation; we are all wound
ed if we receive neglect or ridlcule from
them, and we have all noticed that what
ever our fathers, husbands, lovers, OF
brothers Inay say theoretically on the sud-
iect, that they invariably show their ami
ration fcs q Observation-Disclosures woman
who combines good taste with fashion.
1t il a painful truth that the woman
who ignores fashion for comfort lmpalrs her
usefulness, and brings upon herself annoy
ance.
If she travels she meets with rudeness
and ridicule.
If she goes shopping she meets with IN
attention and discourtesy.
If she gees on an errand ofcharlty sne Is
looked upon as a crank or an imposter.
A fashionable costume, on the other
hand, is an open letter of credit
The conductor looks after you, the sales
lady" is attentive, the banker Obsequious,
and the usher of the church finds the best
pew Tor YOU. 1t is pitiiul, but it is true
And so we prefer to bear physical suffer
ing to mental and spiritual disturbance.
A great deal has been said of late con-
corning the deeolletes dress for ladies.
Being myself worshipper at the shrine
of beautiful women, and an admlrer oil
the nude 10 art, am perhaps united to
discuss this subject impsrtially.
have seen immodest dressing which
shocked and disguised me, but it seems TO
me the rule that American women know
where to draw the line.
| sould never understand why the un-
covering of pretty arms and shoulders was
any more immOdest than the uncoyerlng
of pretty face In Asia custom considers
the latter improper.
Mn exhibit sad unreasonableness IN
this natter also. A pretty young wife
broke into tears one evening and con-
fided her trouble 70 me. She had just re-
turued from reception, wearing a close,
high necked dress. John has talked OF
nothing all the way home" she said,
"but the beauty and elegance of Mrs,
S.. He thinks her model Of good
taste in dress. She was attired In low
necked sleeveless gown. Yet he would
not let me wear my Wrecked bodice with
the lace sleeves; he said d was immOdest. "
II Johu held his wife's neck too sacred
to he gazed upon by other eyes (hs his de-
tenders wOuld argue), it was at least very
had taste for him To eXpAtate on the
charms of another wOman's shoulders.
Had be been man of tact he would have
assured his wife that she was a thousand
times more attractive in her closely but
toned dress than Mrs. S in her deCOt-
Iette gown. But he proved by word and
act that he really admired the dccOHate
gown the more.
DccOUcRc is a French word from decOtIeter,
"to uncover the neck" 1t does not sig
Nifty any indecent display of the person,
although it is frequently improperly used
in that sense by the critics. So long as it
is the neck which is uncovered, and the
occasion is suitable, am at loss to lind
the indelcacy of this very pretty custom.
Far more shocking to my sense OF the
proprieties is the sight OF much jewelry
worn in daylight and in the street-cars.
Precious gems seem to me to belong to the
night almost as exclusively as the stars OF
heaven. But the woman berself Is the
most precious gem of all, and unless she is
truthful, unselish, chaste, and Intelligent,
no amount of beautiful apparel or fashion
able attire can win her lasting admiration.
AS common glass set in the raroSt gold
Would cause a careful cOnnOiSScur 10 irOwn,
Good taste must shrink, offended To behold
\ coarse grained woman in fine spun gown.
Her gems should be like flashes from her mind,
Her dress the sweet expression of her ncart;
Unless this perfect harmony we find,
There is no worth or beauty in the art.
ELLA WHEELER Wilcox.